So, every year we go to the beach and, like clockwork, we return with souvenirs. And no, not the cheap little trinkets you buy in a shop. I’m talking bags of rocks, sticks, and things that probably looked magical through a child’s eyes but now just look like… sticks. This time we came home with two entire bags of “treasures.” And once school started, there I was, alone with a mountain of driftwood and a decision: throw it out (gasp!), or actually do something useful with it.
Obviously, I chose the second option. Because apparently, I am incapable of letting go of sticks.
I thought about what to make. Paper sails? Cute for preschoolers. My kids laughed, rolled their eyes, and reminded me they had better things to do. Fabric sails? Tempting. But then I realized I don’t own Pinterest-worthy fabric, and dyeing fabric sounds like one of those projects that ends with me crying in the laundry room.
So, I landed on option three: air-dry clay. Simple, sturdy, and doesn’t require me to burn the house down with a kiln. Plus, I can paint it however I want, and let’s be honest—I love a good excuse to use navy paint.
Materials You’ll Need
- Driftwood sticks (1 larger, 1 smaller)
- Air-dry clay
- Paper and pencil for sail templates
- Clay tools or just a kitchen knife and a straw
- String or thin rope
- Wooden bead
- Acrylic paint (navy, red, and white work best)
- Paintbrushes and sponge
- Clear acrylic sealer or varnish
How To Make Cute Boats
Draw two sails on paper, one big and one small. Hold them up to your driftwood like you’re auditioning for Project Runway: Boat Edition. Adjust until you feel like a proud shipbuilder instead of someone cutting random triangles.
Roll out the clay about 4–5 mm thick (yes, I measured because I’m that person). Place your paper sails on top, cut them out, and then poke three holes with a straw. If anyone asks, yes, this counts as “using fine motor skills.” Smooth the edges with wet fingers like you know what you’re doing.
Add holes using a simple straw. Pro tip: put a light box on top of the sails while drying so the clay doesn’t curl up like a potato chip. Flip them over the next day to help them dry evenly.
Once dry, sand a little, then grab your paints. Big sail: wide navy and white stripes. Small sail: solid navy. Why? Because I said so.
Then I went wild with the sponge. Dabbed on some white paint to give it that distressed, “I’ve survived three hurricanes and a pirate attack” vibe. Even painted the wooden bead to match, because why not?.
Coat those sails with varnish so they don’t chip every time someone breathes near them. Bonus: it makes the colors look brighter, like you actually know what you’re doing. Tie the smaller stick across the bigger one to make your hull. Thread the string through the sail holes, add the bead on top, and suddenly, it starts looking like a boat. Of course, my sail leaned like it was auditioning for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so I had to add extra string for balance. Real shipbuilders probably don’t deal with this. Lucky them.
And just like that—ta-da!—I had not one but two sailboats. One in navy, one in red, because variety. They hang on the wall now, proudly showing off our family’s beach finds, instead of rotting in a bucket in the garage.
Looks cute, right?.
Final Thoughts
Who needs another souvenir magnet when you can DIY nautical decor that actually means something? A few sticks, some clay, and a bit of paint later, I’ve got quirky sailboats that remind me of summer every day. And honestly, way cooler than anything I could have bought in a gift shop.